The Fine Line Between Standing Out & Being Creepy

There are a lot of things you can do to stand out and beat your competition. You can ask the interviewer insightful questions that no other candidates have asked, you can think on your feet to answer tricky interview questions better than other candidates, or you canformat your résuméin an impactful way that the hiring manager has never seen before.

Put your own spin on these tips so that they are a reflection of your true self, but keep in mind that there is a fine line between standing out and being creepy (or completely inappropriate).

For example, you could follow up after your interview by sending an astonishingly well written thank you email. Now you stand out. Or you could follow up by mailing each interviewer a handmade thank you card with the interviewer’s face on the front of the card. Now you’re creepy – no matter how well written your thank you note is.

Think before you act. Always make sure that your actions are appropriate for the situation. Always act professionally no matter how casual the interviewer seems.

What have you done in an interview situation that you thought would make you stand out but in hindsight you realize was creepy? When I was in my early 20’s I once went in person, un-invited, to follow up on the status of my candidacy. Creepy!

Robin Brodrick is a résumé writer, aspiring minimalist, Douglas Adams fan, and corporate recruiter in the cutthroat biotech and pharma industries. If you’re looking for a new job, or know somebody who is, Robin can help you with that, too. Visit www.talentcounseling.com to learn more. You can also follow Robin on Twitter or LinkedIn.